A year hasn’t even passed since Paul George brazenly declared to The Vertical’s Michael Lee that he was “ready” to challenge LeBron James. Now, one frustrating season and unbalanced roster later, the Indiana Pacers presumably may need the King’s team to avoid losing their franchise star for pennies on the dollar.
Don’t be mistaken. Unless some fringe contender or star-hungry lottery club works up the courage to belly up to the bargaining table without assurances from George, the Pacers are best served keeping the lines of communication open with Cleveland.